Dr. Lance Lobban

EPSCoR Research Focus: 
Chemical Conversion
NSF EPSCoR Co-Principal Investigator
Director, Francis W. Winn Chair & Prof. | Chemical, Biological & Materials Engineering
University of Oklahoma
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Education: 
B.S. | Chemical Engineering | University of Kansas | 1981
Ph.D. | Chemical Engineering | University of Houston |1987
Research Interests: 

Cellulosic Bioenergy Research:  Chemical Conversion

Dr. Lance Lobban is director, Francis W. Winn Chair and professor in the University of Oklahoma's School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering.  He is also the co-principal investigator of the multidisciplinary, multi-institutional, five-year NFS EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Plan entitled “Building Oklahoma’s Leadership Role in Cellulosic Bioenergy."

Dr. Lobban's research focuses on catalysis and reaction engineering. His research group combines experimental measurement with theoretical analyses of reaction mechanisms in order to better understand and improve catalytic processes.

The operating conditions of the reacting systems that Dr. Lobban and his co-researchers have studied include gas phase reactions at temperatures up to 800°C, liquid phase reactions at room temperature and below, and reactions in presence of a strong electric field. The experimental techniques include steady and unsteady (transient) state kinetics measurements, adsorbed species identification using diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and measurement of isotopic species using mass spectrometry.

One of Dr. Lobban's current research projects is an investigation of methane oxidative coupling under a variety of conditions including cold plasma conditions and on different catalysts.

A second project involves the synthesis and use of novel TiO2 aerogels and binary SiO2-TiO2 aerogels as photocatalysts.  The unique properties of these aerogels are hypothesized to allow more efficient use of UV light to activate the photocatalysts for the complete oxidation of air and water contaminants.

A third active project examines the fundamentals and applications of catalysis by adsorbed surfactant aggregates. Potential applications include selective production of valuable chemicals and hazardous waste detoxification.

Pictured (above):  A member of the Lobban research team works in the pyrolysis lab

Key Publications: 

Items in bold indicate OK EPSCoR-supported research

  • Chiappero, M., P. T. M. Do, S. Crossley, L. L. Lobban, and D. E. Resasco (2011). "Direct Conversion of Triglycerides to Olefins and Paraffins over Noble Metal Supported Catalysts." Fuel 90(3): 1155-1165. SciVerse. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2010.10.025.
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  • Hoang, T. Q., X. Zhu, T. Danuthai, L. L. Lobban, D. E. Resasco, and R. G. Mallinson (2010). "Conversion of Glycerol to Alkyl-aromatics over Zeolites." Energy Fuels 24.7: 3804-809. Energy and Fuels. doi: 10.1021/ef100160y. 
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  • Hoang, T. Q., X. Zhua, L. L. Lobban, D. E. Resasco, and R. G. Mallinson (June 10, 2010). "Effects of HZSM-5 Crystallite Size on Stability and Alkyl-aromatics Product Distribution from Conversion of Propanal." Catalysis Communications 11.11: 977-81. SciVerse. doi: 10.1016/j.catcom.2010.04.014.
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  • Zhu, X., L. L. Lobban, R. G. Mallinson, and D. E. Resasco (2010). "Tailoring the Mesopore Structure of HZSM-5 to Control Product Distribution in the Conversion of Propanal." Journal of Catalysis 271.21: 88-98. SciVerse. doi: 10.1016/j.jcat.2010.02.004.
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  • Pham, T. D., M. B. Chiappero, L. L. Lobban, and D. E. Resasco (2009). "Catalytic Deoxygenation of Methyl Octanoate and Methyl Stearate on Pt/A1203." Applied Catalysis 130. doi: 10.1007/s10562-009-9900-7.
  • Sooknoi, T., T. Danuthai, L. L. Lobban, R. G. Mallinson, and D. E. Resasco (November 2009). "Deoxygenation of Methyl Esters over CsNaX." Applied Catalysis 361: 99. doi: 10.1016/j.apcata.2009.04.001.
  • Trung, T. P., R. G. Mallinson, S. P. Crossley, T. Sooknoi, L. L. Lobban, and D. E. Resasco (2009). "Etherification of 2-methyl-pentanal on Supported Palladium Catalysts." Catalysis Letters 130. doi: 10.1007/s10562-009-9900-7.
  • Trung, T. P., L. L. Lobban, D. E. Resasco, and R. G. Mallinson (August 2009). "Hydrogenation and Hydrodeoxygenation of 2-Methyl-2-Pentanal On Supported Metal Catalysts." Journal of Catalysis 266.1.
  • Zhu, X., T. Hoang, L. Lobban and R. G. Mallinson (2009). "Plasma Reforming of Glycerol for Synthesis Gas Production." Chemical Communications(20): 2908-2910. RSC Publications. doi: 10.1039/b823410h.
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  •  Gordon, C. L., L. L. Lobban, and R. Mallinson (2002). "The Production of Hydrogen from Methane Using Tubular Plasma Reactors." Advances in Hydrogen Energy: 57-67. Springer Link. doi: 10.1007/0-306-46922-7_5.
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  • Caldwell, T. A., L. L. Lobban, and R. G. Mallison (2001). "Partial Oxidation of Methane to Form Synthesis Gas in a Tubular AC Plasma Reactor." Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis 136: 265-70. SciVerse. doi:10.1016/S0167-2991(01)80314-1.
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  • Gordon, C. L., L. L. Lobbana, and R. G. Mallinson (2001). "Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene to Ethylene during the Conversion of Methane in a Catalytic DC Plasma Reactor." Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis 136: 271-76. SciVerse. doi:10.1016/S0167-2991(01)80315-3.
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  • Larkin, D. W., L. L. Lobban, and R. G. Mallinson (2001). "Production of Organic Oxygenates in the Partial Oxidation of Methane in a Silent Electric Discharge Reactor." Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 40.7: 1594-601. ACS Publications. doi:10.1021/ie000527k.
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  • Larkin, D. W., T. A. Caldwell, L. L. Lobban, and R. G. Mallinson (1998). "Oxygen Pathways and Carbon Dioxide Utilization in Methane Partial Oxidation in Ambient Temperature Electric Discharges." Energy & Fuels 12.4: 740-44. ACS Publications. doi: 10.1021/ef970217n.
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Curriculum Vitae: